10 Things to Remember When Shopping At a Secondhand Store
1. There is a slim chance you will find EXACTLY what you are looking for. You might find something slightly better or something slightly worse.
2. The secondhand store is NOT a yard sale. All items are priced as marked and not open for negotiation as a general rule unless you're spending in excess of $200.
3. The secondhand store is NOT the dollar store. Expect to pay more for items of value. i.e. Electronics, tools, etc.
4. The secondhand store is NOT a wholesaler. You will be charged tax.
5. The secondhand store is NOT a business opportunity. No soliciting!
6. The secondhand store is NOT Walmart. Everything is sold as is, so check it over. No refunds. No returns.
7. Not everything at the secondhand store is used. Some merchandise is actually *gasp* new! Expect to pay a little more for new items.
8. The secondhand store is NOT a consignment shop. We don't particularly want or need your consignments to be and remain successful. No offense. There are consignment shops for that.
9. The secondhand store means quality at a fraction of the cost. EVERYTHING works to the best of our knowledge. We will even plug it up for you, but don't get crazy. Hooking up an entire stereo system is a bit much.
10. The secondhand store appreciates your business. Remember that above all else.
2. The secondhand store is NOT a yard sale. All items are priced as marked and not open for negotiation as a general rule unless you're spending in excess of $200.
3. The secondhand store is NOT the dollar store. Expect to pay more for items of value. i.e. Electronics, tools, etc.
4. The secondhand store is NOT a wholesaler. You will be charged tax.
5. The secondhand store is NOT a business opportunity. No soliciting!
6. The secondhand store is NOT Walmart. Everything is sold as is, so check it over. No refunds. No returns.
7. Not everything at the secondhand store is used. Some merchandise is actually *gasp* new! Expect to pay a little more for new items.
8. The secondhand store is NOT a consignment shop. We don't particularly want or need your consignments to be and remain successful. No offense. There are consignment shops for that.
9. The secondhand store means quality at a fraction of the cost. EVERYTHING works to the best of our knowledge. We will even plug it up for you, but don't get crazy. Hooking up an entire stereo system is a bit much.
10. The secondhand store appreciates your business. Remember that above all else.
10 Positive Things I've Learned Since My Lay-Off
I was laid off from my job of 2.5 years last December. I lived out in Las Vegas at the time, and that lay-off began a journey for which I was hardly prepared. I eventually moved back home to North Carolina and have been looking for full-time employment ever since. Here are few things that have held true over this last year.
1. Work in any form...is fulfilling.
I am finding myself enjoying things that I used to abhor like cleaning, dishes and even scooping the cat box. I have even applied for jobs that I couldn't fathom before just to have *something* to do. It is surprising how much a job can define your life and even who you are.
2. I CAN freelance write for a living.
Shortly after I lost my job, I applied online for a writing job. I got it, and I could actually do it for a living. It pays good enough that it is feasible. I have yet to reach my financial goals which brings me to...
3. Goal setting should be secondary only to breathing.
I was required to set goals at my last job. I scoffed at the idea at first and was almost fired as a result. I found that setting goals for work made me want to set goals for my personal life. Having goals gives me something concrete to work toward as opposed to fleeting thoughts of "I want this, so I'll do this to get it".
4. Home is where the heart is.
As cliche as it sounds, it is also true. Not only had I lost a good chunk of my identity as a result of my job loss, I might as well have been living in Egypt. I was 2500 miles from my roots, my family and guaranteed meals. While jobless at home hasn't been easier per se, it has been more comforting.
5. $8 per hour isn't the end of the world.
I made a decent salary in Las Vegas and had a prestigious position as one of 10+ pioneers of a brand new department. It was and exiting opportunity and the first time that I could officially say "I am a professional writer". The reality of the region where I now live is $8 an hour is "decent". I've accepted this over the last several months, and while I aspire to more just as anyone else would...8 bucks an hour won't kill ya.
6. Living with your parents won't kill you.
Moving back in with my parents at 33 was about the last thing I wanted to do. Without going into too much detail...it is stifling. The place is small and I am reminded everyday that I can't afford space and privacy. I am also reminded that my parents love me and care if I am eating or not. Living with your parents won't kill you...quite the contrary, it will sustain you as you get back on your feet.
7. The secondhand merchandise industry is fun and profitable.
In October, I went to work part-time at a secondhand store. It was a more than welcome opportunity after 10 months trying to slide by on my tax refund and freelancing. The secondhand business is HOT right now with the economy rocking nearly at an all-time low. I work in a giant treasure chest. How fitting for a pirate.
8. Mark was right...
about so many things. Mark Linsenbardt is my former boss and I learned so much from him. I've billed him as the best boss in the entire world. Mark's big thing was goal-setting. As I said earlier, he almost fired me once for not having goals. Mark was right about your job funding your personal life. One definitely does not have much of a personal life without the proper funds to secure it. Mark was right that no one can make you feel and you are ultimately responsible for yourself, your life and your level of satisfaction with both.
9. Television is not a necessity.
I have survived now mostly without TV for 7 months and 29 days. Largely this is in part to the copious amounts of shows available on the internet. I have managed to stay abreast of most of the shows I most enjoy. Others, I have managed updates here and there at friends' homes, so I have managed to survive the near total absence of the boob tube in my life. While it is not a necessity...it is certainly a fervent want on my part.
10. Never give up.
I have never been one who was much for giving up. I can't say that I am the most driven individual, but there are not many things that I've thrown in the towel on. In the last year, I have faced some tough challenges. I've listened to others put me down. I've put myself down, but I have not given up on one thing...not a thought, an endeavor or a dream.
You know, I've had it a lot easier through this recession than many who have lost their homes and most everything they had worked for their entire lives. So if I were to challenge those people...I would say never give up. You can only grow and become a better and stronger person through adversity. I'm thankful for every minute of life that I am given and in the words of Kanye..."That, that, that, that don't kill me, only makes me stronger."
1. Work in any form...is fulfilling.
I am finding myself enjoying things that I used to abhor like cleaning, dishes and even scooping the cat box. I have even applied for jobs that I couldn't fathom before just to have *something* to do. It is surprising how much a job can define your life and even who you are.
2. I CAN freelance write for a living.
Shortly after I lost my job, I applied online for a writing job. I got it, and I could actually do it for a living. It pays good enough that it is feasible. I have yet to reach my financial goals which brings me to...
3. Goal setting should be secondary only to breathing.
I was required to set goals at my last job. I scoffed at the idea at first and was almost fired as a result. I found that setting goals for work made me want to set goals for my personal life. Having goals gives me something concrete to work toward as opposed to fleeting thoughts of "I want this, so I'll do this to get it".
4. Home is where the heart is.
As cliche as it sounds, it is also true. Not only had I lost a good chunk of my identity as a result of my job loss, I might as well have been living in Egypt. I was 2500 miles from my roots, my family and guaranteed meals. While jobless at home hasn't been easier per se, it has been more comforting.
5. $8 per hour isn't the end of the world.
I made a decent salary in Las Vegas and had a prestigious position as one of 10+ pioneers of a brand new department. It was and exiting opportunity and the first time that I could officially say "I am a professional writer". The reality of the region where I now live is $8 an hour is "decent". I've accepted this over the last several months, and while I aspire to more just as anyone else would...8 bucks an hour won't kill ya.
6. Living with your parents won't kill you.
Moving back in with my parents at 33 was about the last thing I wanted to do. Without going into too much detail...it is stifling. The place is small and I am reminded everyday that I can't afford space and privacy. I am also reminded that my parents love me and care if I am eating or not. Living with your parents won't kill you...quite the contrary, it will sustain you as you get back on your feet.
7. The secondhand merchandise industry is fun and profitable.
In October, I went to work part-time at a secondhand store. It was a more than welcome opportunity after 10 months trying to slide by on my tax refund and freelancing. The secondhand business is HOT right now with the economy rocking nearly at an all-time low. I work in a giant treasure chest. How fitting for a pirate.
8. Mark was right...
about so many things. Mark Linsenbardt is my former boss and I learned so much from him. I've billed him as the best boss in the entire world. Mark's big thing was goal-setting. As I said earlier, he almost fired me once for not having goals. Mark was right about your job funding your personal life. One definitely does not have much of a personal life without the proper funds to secure it. Mark was right that no one can make you feel and you are ultimately responsible for yourself, your life and your level of satisfaction with both.
9. Television is not a necessity.
I have survived now mostly without TV for 7 months and 29 days. Largely this is in part to the copious amounts of shows available on the internet. I have managed to stay abreast of most of the shows I most enjoy. Others, I have managed updates here and there at friends' homes, so I have managed to survive the near total absence of the boob tube in my life. While it is not a necessity...it is certainly a fervent want on my part.
10. Never give up.
I have never been one who was much for giving up. I can't say that I am the most driven individual, but there are not many things that I've thrown in the towel on. In the last year, I have faced some tough challenges. I've listened to others put me down. I've put myself down, but I have not given up on one thing...not a thought, an endeavor or a dream.
You know, I've had it a lot easier through this recession than many who have lost their homes and most everything they had worked for their entire lives. So if I were to challenge those people...I would say never give up. You can only grow and become a better and stronger person through adversity. I'm thankful for every minute of life that I am given and in the words of Kanye..."That, that, that, that don't kill me, only makes me stronger."
My Byline in the College Paper
I did some writing for the college newspaper when I was in school. I had to drop a class which left me one credit hour short of keeping my financial aid. A quick clamoring through the one credit hour practicums landed me on The Campbell Times. My career has since turned toward writing, and I am thankful to have these few articles in my portfolio.
AssociatedContent.com
While the bulk of my writing ends up on eHow.com, I have recently published a few things on AssociatedContent.com. I publish articles there that aren't quite up to snuff for my studio writing job, but aren't throw-away content either. I've had success with this so far.
Please visit my profile here:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/159359/ava_fails.html
You can access my most recent content via this permalink.
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